Edwin j



(No Model.)

E. J. FLETGEER.

SHOW GASE.

No. 863,621. Patented May 24, 1887.

N PETERS FllctO-Ulhugmphen Vlualnnglcn. D. c.

' tain portions.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

EDWIN J. rnnrcnna, on NEW YORK, n. Y.

SHOW-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 363,621, dated May 24, 1887.

Application filed January 13. 1887. Scrial No. 224,207. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, EDWIN J. FLETCHER, of the city and county of New York, in the State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Show-Gases, of which the following is a specification.

' The improvement applies to the entire class of show-cases which are mounted on counters or placed in windows so that they shall have greater lateral dimensions than their height.

It has long been recognized as desirable to mount within such show-case, at the back, shelves extending longitudinally along, the uppermost being narrow and the lower ex tending perhaps half-way to the front of the show-case. On looking at such show case from the front, at the angle generally presented, the customer sees nearly or quite all the articles on the bottom, and also all on both shelves; but the view he gets on the back of the lower shelf and on the lower part of the bottom is imperfect. When the customer leans over the show-case and looks down, the shelves seriously obstruct the full inspection of cer- I have devised a construction which realizes all the advantages and makes it possible with little trouble to exhibit all the parts separately. Instead of shelves, I provide, either removable or as fixtures, a series of brackets adapted to support removable trays which, when in place, correspond in position to the shelves referred to. The showcase being opened in the usual manner by letting down the back, my trays can be drawn out-the upper one drawn out to exhibit all the articles on the tray next below, or both the upper and middle drawn out-to exhibit all on the bottom. It is convenient, also, to make the bottom in the form of removable trays; but this I do not esteem essential. My experi ments indicate that the appearance of the work when properly constructed is highly attractive. The trays should be all alike and the spaces between the brackets equal, so that they may be changed in position withoutinvolving difficult-y; but this is not essential. The trays may be marked, or may come to be known by the goods on them, so that a salesman will never make a mistake in returning them to their correct positions after removal.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a rear view with the doors removed. Fig. 3 isa transverse section. The remaining figures are on a larger scale. Fig. 4. is a side elevation of a portion. -One of the trays is shown in vertical section. above. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation corresponding to Fig. 4.. Fig. 7 is on a still larger scale. It is a vertical section through one of the arms and a portion of a tray. Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section showing a modifications Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts in all the figures where they occur.

A is the show-case, certain portionsbeing designated, when necessary, by additional 7:)

marks, as A. y

B B are the doors at the back, connected by hingesb and proper fastening means,b. These" parts may be of any ordinary or approved construction, and need not be particularly de- 7 5 scribed. I prefer that the frame shall be of metal and that the glass shall be plate-glass, in large pieces. The top and front may be in a single plate, bent as shown. The interior of the showcase is divided into sections, or rather 80 into several lengths. I have indicated three; but the number may be greater, or two may serve, there being a corresponding number of separately-hinged doors at the back. A vertical bar, A, forms a portion of the perma- 8 a use allows the removing of these important 93 pieces to facilitate dusting or repairs; but I prefer ordinarily to secure the uprights D firmly by screws E, inserted through the uprights A, or by other eificient means, so that the uprights D and their horizontal arms are 10c rigidly held in position inthe show-case.

On each arm D D D is fixed a narrow Fig. 5 is a view from An upright, 1), is placed 0 parting strip or guide, (1 d d". I have in my experiments made these of hard wood covered with silk-plush. These are narrower than the main portions of the arms, on which they are screwed or otherwise secured, so that the edges of the arms are presented to form efficient supports for the ends of the trays G. On these trays are placed the samples of jewelry or other articles to be exhibited. Vhen in position, the trays appear as shelves, each being apparently continuous from one end to the other of the show-case, except for the narrow lines of division presented by the part ing-strips. It will be understood that there is acorresponding upright, D, with its arms D D D" at each end of the showcase. The parting-strip on this need not be in the middle. The uprights D are narrower than the arms D, &c. The spaces dat the sides of D, in rear of the edges of the arms DD D form recesses. Each tray G is formed with a projection, g, extending downward a little at the back to form a stop by engaging in a corresponding recess when the tray is pushed in to the proper extent. acrossthe whole width of the show-case.

To remove a tray the corresponding door is openedand the tray moved rearward by sliding on the edges of the arms D or D on which it is rested. WVhen the top tray is thus removed, the goods on the back edge of the next tray are more fully exposed and receive a stronger light; but the arrangement of the trays, the uppermost being narrower than the next, allows all the goods shown on allthe trays to be seen when viewed at'tlie ordinary angle.

Modifications may be made without depart ing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. The show case may be divided into a greater or less number of lengths by the employment of a greater or less number of the uprights D and their'arms.

1 There may be only two arms, D D or there may be four or more if the show-case is of suffieient vertical dimensions to make such expedient. Y The arms DD &c., may beofsornewhat less length-than the width of the trays which they are to support.

Parts of the invention may be used without t-hewhole. I can support the front end of each arm by a post of the same or other material standing under it; or such pieces or equivalent uprights may be widened, so as to form a partition extending from the front line of the tray back to the rear of the show-case; but I esteem such objectionable, not only by interrupting the view when seen obliquely, but also by excluding light, which in many situa tions is highly important.

The lower arm, D extends nearly- If the uprights A are sufficiently stout, the uprights D may be dispensed with, and the arms D 13 D may be supported by bolting or otherwise fixing the arms directly on A. Fig. 8 shows such a modification.

I have in my experiments made the parts DDD D of cast-iron; but this may be varied. I propose to make them of iron or steel forgings, or of any other strong material. I can nicely finish and nickel or otherwise coat them.

It is not necessary to the realization of some of the advantages that the show-case shall open at the back. In some situations it is desirable to place two showcases with their backs together, and under such conditions, and perhaps in various other situations, it may be desirable to open the case from the front. I can remove the trays from either the front or back.

I have represented the invention as applied to a counter showcase. It may, with proper changes in the proportions,be correspondingly applied to a wall show-case or to any style of show-case of whatever name.

I claim as my invention 1. In a show-case, the uprights D, situated within "the case at the rear portion thereo f, and having arms D D extending outward therefrom, in combination with the traysG, sup ported by and arranged to slide on said arms D D as herein specified.

2. In a show-case, the uprights D, situated within the case at the rear portion thereof, having arms I) D ,of different lengths,extending forward therefrom, and provided with re cesses d, in combination with trays G, having stops 9, as herein specified.

3. In a show-case, the uprights D, situated within the case at the rear portion thereof, having feet D,and arms D, D and D,formed therewith, said arms being provided with reces'ses d, in combination with the trays G, having stops 9, supported by and arranged to slide on said arms D, D and D, as herein specified.

4. The showcase described divided into lengths, the doors B for each one of the lengths, the uprights A between the doors, the uprights D, situated within the case, at the rear portion thereof,adjacent to-and in front of the uprights A, and having arms D, D and D and the trays G, resting upon and sliding on the said arms D, D and D, all combined and arranged for'the purposes herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New York city, New York, this 29th day of December, 1886, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' EDiVIN J. FLETCHER.

Witnesses:

M. F. BOYLE, H. A. Jorrns'ronn. 

